Bel Fuse Taps Aerospace Veteran Tom Smelker to Lead Connectivity Solutions
Bel Fuse Inc. has named Tom Smelker as its new President of Connectivity Solutions, starting January 26, 2026. The appointment follows a career spanning over two decades in aerospace engineering and defence, where Smelker built a reputation for driving growth and operational change. His arrival comes at what the company describes as a pivotal moment for its future direction.
Smelker joins Bel from Mercury Systems, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President and General Manager. In this role, he oversaw a $400 million profit-and-loss portfolio across ten global sites. During his tenure, he successfully turned around underperforming divisions, boosting profitability and refocusing product lines.
Before Mercury Systems, Smelker spent 19 years at Raytheon, gaining deep expertise in ruggedized computing, RF systems, and secure microelectronics. His work covered both defence and commercial aviation, with a strong emphasis on space technologies. Farouq Tuweiq, Bel’s CEO, noted Smelker’s leadership strengths and his detailed understanding of the aerospace engineering and defence markets as key reasons for the appointment. Smelker has expressed enthusiasm about taking on the new role. He highlighted Bel’s current momentum and his commitment to collaborating with the team to create long-term value for customers and shareholders.
The appointment places Smelker at the head of Bel’s Connectivity Solutions division. His track record in operational transformation and market expansion is expected to play a central role in the company’s next phase. The move also reflects Bel’s focus on strengthening its leadership in aerospace engineering and defence technologies.
